FoodShare (EBT)

The Dane County Farmers’ Market is proud to participate in the FoodShare program. Good nutrition is important for all of us, regardless of age, income level, or circumstance. And there is no better way to good nutrition and good health than through locally-grown and raised, natural products.

What is FoodShare?

FoodShare is Wisconsin’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal program formerly known as food stamps. FoodShare participants have a Quest card, also known as an EBT card (Electronic Benefits Transfer) that works similarly to a debit card. The farmers’ market has a machine at the Info Booth that can do an EBT transaction.

How does it work?

Take your Quest card to the Info Booth and ask to do an EBT transaction. The market has an EBT card reader where you will swipe your card and enter your PIN. You can decide how much you want to withdraw from your account, and the market staff will give you market dollars in exchange.

The Info Booth for the Saturday Market is on the top of State St. and is open from 7am to 1pm. The Info Booth for the Wednesday Market is across from the entrance to the Madison Municipal Building and is open from 10:30am to 1pm. In addition, EBT services are available at both Winter Markets.

How can I find out more?

For more information, you can visit http://www.cacscw.org/double-dollars/ or contact Erica Anderson, Food Security Specialist at Community Action Coalition, ericaa@cacscw.org, (608) 246-4730 ext. 208.

How can I volunteer at the EBT booth?

Contact Erica Anderson, Food Security Specialist at Community Action Coalition, ericaa@cacscw.org, (608) 246-4730 ext. 208. Community Action Coalition is always recruiting more volunteers to run the EBT booth on Saturdays!

Double Dollars will return on June 1, 2019!

Madison Area Farmers’ Market Double Dollars is a program for SNAP/FoodShare users. The program offers a dollar for dollar match for all SNAP transactions up to $25 per market day.

In order to receive Double Dollars, SNAP/FoodShare users bring their Quest EBT card to the farmers’ market EBT or information booth. The shopper decides how much they would like to withdraw from their account, then receives market money and Double Dollars that are each worth $1. Every shopper gets a dollar-for-dollar match up to $25, doubling what they withdraw.

The market money and Double Dollars can be spent at any vendor’s stand selling SNAP-eligible products. This includes bakery, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, and seeds and plants to grow food. Market money and Double Dollars cannot be used to buy nonfood items (like flowers or wreaths) or hot foods (like those served at food carts).

Double Dollars can be redeemed from June thru the month of December, or as funds remain available. The 2019 Double Dollars will return on June 1, 2019! They can be issued or spent at any participating farmers’ market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my Double Dollars?

Bring your Quest EBT card to the farmers’ market EBT or information booth. The market staff there will be able to withdraw money from your account and give you market money and Double Dollars in return. For every dollar that you withdraw, market staff will give you two dollars: one dollar in market money, and one Double Dollar. You can receive up to $25 in Double Dollars every market day.

What can I buy with Double Dollars?

The market money and Double Dollars can be spent at any vendor’s stand selling SNAP-eligible products. This includes bakery, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, and seeds and plants to grow food. Market money cannot be used to buy nonfood items (like flowers or wreaths), hot foods (like those served at food carts), and alcohol.

Can I withdraw more than $25 from my account?

Yes. You can withdraw as much as you like, but you will only receive $25 in Double Dollars. For the rest of the amount you will receive market money.

What happens if I don’t spend all my market dollars or Double Dollars?

You have two options. Market dollars never expire, so you can hang on to them and spend them the next time you shop at that market. Double Dollars expire in December of 2017 or when the funds run out. You can hang on to your Double Dollars and spend them the next time you shop at any of the participating farmers’ markets, as long as you use them by December.

You can also return money to your account. You can do that at the information or EBT booth. For every dollar that you put back into your account, you must return one market dollar and one Double Dollar.

I only want to spend a few dollars at the farmers’ market. Is there a minimum I must spend?

There is no minimum! However, there is no market money smaller than $1, so you must withdraw money in increments of $1.

I withdrew some money out of my account but I spent it all before I completed my shopping. Can I go back and get more?

Yes, you can do as many transactions as you want at the farmers’ markets as long as you have money in your SNAP account. However, you can only receive up to $25 in Double Dollars per day.

I do not use SNAP, but I have WIC benefits. Does that still count for Double Dollars?

At this time we are only able to provide Double Dollars to people with SNAP EBT cards. However, many people who use WIC qualify for SNAP. You can apply online at https://access.wisconsin.gov/. For FoodShare application assistance, call 877-FOOD-365 (877-366-3635) or visit GetAQuestCard.org.

I am not a resident of Madison, can I still participate in the program?

Yes! Anyone can participate who has an EBT card.

I have SNAP benefits, but not on a Wisconsin card. Can I still participate in the program?